cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/53800700

The early voting for the Midterms is now available in many places. You can early vote at a polling place or you can use mail-in voting.

Get organised today here: https://www.vote.org/

If you choose to vote in person, either now or on election day, be aware of your rights and course of actions: https://lemmy.world/post/53334632

In Brief:

• Minnesota Supreme Court heard arguments in a case involving a transgender librarian‘s nonrenewal at a Catholic school.
• Reyzl MoChridhe alleges sex and gender-identity discrimination under the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
• Lower courts ruled that church autonomy and religious-freedom protections barred the claims.
• The high court must decide whether religious employers can invoke ecclesiastical abstention in disputes involving employees in secular roles.

Gov. Walz's signature makes Minnesota the 23rd state to legalize recreational marijuana.

It doesn't cover video game consoles, medical gear, farm or construction equipment, digital security tools, or cars.

However, in demanding that manuals, tools, and parts be made available for most electronics and appliances, Minnesota's recently passed right-to-repair bill covers the most ground of any US state yet.

Check out the linked CBS article if you need a refresher - it's a lot. This is one of the most impactful legislative sessions we'll see for a while.

To give a short list of my favorites: trans youth protections, conversion therapy ban, abortion protections, free school lunches and recreational cannabis legalization.

The 2040 clean energy deadline is cool as well, if a bit ambitious.

The policy likely violated an existing agreement with the state which protects MN citizens against abusive debt collection practices.

Southern Minnesota patients face a particular challenge if they lose access to Mayo, said Henehan, a partner with Kain-Henehan in Mendota Heights.

"Mayo has got such a hold on all of those towns in southern Minnesota," she said. "When you get cut off from Mayo, you really get cut off from health care."

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued an orange advisory, which means air pollution will be unhealthy for people with breathing issues, the elderly and young people.

Easterly winds are moving the smoke, much of it from fires in Quebec, west across the state, where it will linger into Thursday.

"It's one of the many indicators showing the continued strength of the economy," said Kevin McKinnon, interim commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).

The state unemployment rate also ticked up slightly but still remains low at 2.9%, according to data DEED released Thursday. It's nearly a percentage point lower than the U.S. jobless rate of 3.7%.

Last time we renewed tabs, we upgraded to the state park plate (https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/parksplate.html). That means we get entrance into a state park whenever we go! So, we've been working on visiting at least one state park each weekend for this summer. Here are some resources I found: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/index.html https://www.mapofus.org/minnesota-state-park-map/

The city across the river from Fargo is tearing down a mall to rebuild a downtown in hopes of drawing residents and fostering lively streets.

Best viewing between 2200 and 0200.

We drove up a little after midnight and joined the party at boulder lake, and were treated to some great lights!

https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/live-updates-targeted-shootings-in-champlin-brooklyn-park-suspect-dressed-like-law-enforcement

From: https://www.startribune.com/holly-trolley-minneapolis-streetcar-history-curious/601543578

Archived version

MINNETONKA, Minn. — Hennepin County confirms two people were arrested by ICE agents who were waiting outside courtrooms in Minnetonka Monday. 

A spokesperson said more than a dozen federal agents were deployed in a waiting area outside the courtrooms at the Ridgedale Service Center and took the two people into custody. The county did not provide details on why they were arrested.

"Under federal law, ICE agents have the authority to enforce immigration laws anywhere within the United States. Hennepin County facilities, including courthouses, including spaces that are open to the public, including federal, state, and local law enforcement agents who may be performing their official duties," read a statement shared with KARE 11.

The statement clarifies that there are Hennepin County facilities that are non-public, like employee workspaces or secure areas, that are not accessible to federal authorities without a warrant or "proper authorization."

Hennepin County also affirmed its commitment to "maintaining a safe and accessible environment for everyone who uses our facilities, including residents, employees and visitors," noting the importance of balancing public safety with the protection of individual rights.

KARE 11 has reached out to federal authorities at the Department of Homeland Security for additional details on the incident, and will update this story if or when the department responds.

The federal government told [MN] state officials in a letter that it would "bring an end to chaos in Minnesota" if they abide by three of its requests, including giving it access to Minnesota's voter information.